Why Gabriel Martinelli goal was ruled out by VAR during Everton vs Arsenal
Gabriel Martinelli's early goal against Everton was ruled offside by VAR as officials deemed Beto to have not deliberately played the ball.
The 'opener' arrived in strange circumstances. As Gabriel Magalhaes looked to play a square ball on the half-way line, the spritely Beto chased down the Brazilian centre-back.
That he did caused the ball to ricocheted off the Blues striker through to Eddie Nketiah, making his way back into an onside position.
Referee Simon Hooper waved play on, allowing the England striker to work with Fabio Vieira who subsequently played the pass through to Martinelli to put past Jordan Pickford.
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After a short review from VAR official Stuart Atwell and his assistant Nick Greenhalgh, the strike was ruled out and the score remained 0-0.
The ECHO asked for guidance on the decision - and it is understood that the ball deflecting off Everton's summer signing was not deemed a deliberate play by Beto. The result was that Nketiah was offside from the moment Gabriel played his pass.
Adding further insight in a post on social media, VAR expert Dale Johnson said: "Essentially [for deliberate play] it has to be a controlled action and the possibility of a controlled outcome. Beto's attempted a block/interception which has no control over the outcome."
Martinelli was forced to leave the field with injury shortly after the disallowed goal and was replaced by Leandro Trossard with the match goalless.
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville, who was on commentary duty for Sky Sports, was bewildered with the decision.
Upon initial review, he said: "Well he [Nketiah] is not offside, Everton aren’t
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